AN: Thank you for all the support! it is very deeply appreciated!
What on earth was dire enough to necessitate emergency tea time?
Neville stood beside his stove, waiting for the stainless steel kettle to begin to whistle. Ginny sat at his round table, scratching at a sandwich crumb.
"I need to leave in about twenty minutes," Neville began. "My floare finie needs to be watered soon."
"Can it not wait?" Ginny stilled her finger.
"Not if I want it to keep its magical properties," Neville leaned against his white counter.
"What makes the plant so special"
"It's an important ingredient in potions used to stabilize blood sugar."
"Ooh, that is pretty important." Ginny straightened her posture. "How long will it take to water it?"
"It shouldn't take too long. Thankfully, it doesn't need too much water, but it does need to be watered consistently."
Ginny hummed.
"So, uh," Neville swallowed. "You sounded like you were in distress earlier."
"I wouldn't say I'm distressed," Ginny answered. "But I do need help."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"I'm hoping so."
Neville cocked his head and blinked. From the expression in Ginny's eyes, it was clear she was calculating her next move. If any other Gryffindor wore that expression, he would've found it out of character. Ginny was always different though. If she wasn't a Weasley and so adamant about being in Gryffindor she would've been in Slytherin. It would have been a very different world if she'd been sorted into the house…
"In a couple of your letters, you mentioned that you and Severus Snape grew close after Hannah left you," Ginny began.
"We did." Neville answered.
"How close would you say you are?"
"I wouldn't say he considers me an equal, because I'm still the boy who destroyed his lab on multiple occasions, but he does respect my expertise in herbology."
"Do you ever talk about more personal things?"
"What kinds of things?" He drawled, already disliking the direction this conversation was taking.
"Like, what's his idea of a perfect date?"
"He tends to like early July when he can focus on his research without the interference of students."
"No, I mean, what's his ideal woman?"
Neville didn't know if he was more startled by the question or the hissing tea pot.
"If he were to fall in love, who would it be with?" Ginny asked.
"I don't know," he answered. "To be honest, he doesn't seem interested in anyone."
"Does Severus Snape really hate women as much as everyone says he does?" She asked above the kettle.
"Why do you care?" Neville removed the tea kettle from the stove.
"I'll explain more when Hermione gets here."
"Okay," Neville reached into an overhead cupboard and pulled out three blue tea cups. Why did he suspect Hermione would be as put off by this conversation as he was?
"I assume if you told him about your breakup with Hannah he must have mentioned something about his romantic life," Ginny said.
"I mean, yes he did, but it would be inappropriate to give too many details."
"Why?"
"Because they were said in confidence." He began to pour the tea.
"How confidential could his dating life be?" She asked. "We all know about Lily."
Neville bit his lower lip as his eyes drifted to a smudge on the ground he had been meaning to magic or mop away.
"There was a woman other than Lily, wasn't there?" There was a hint of triumph in Ginny's voice.
"I never said that." He met her eyes.
"You didn't need to." She was smiling like a weasel with a chicken in its mouth.
"I really can't go into details."
"Because of confidentiality?"
"In part." He took two cups and strolled towards the table. "But I've also only been here for three years. I haven't asked him many questions on what he did before he came here, and he hasn't mentioned much about his dating life."
"Surely you know something though. Has he ever mentioned having a type?"
"He likes women who don't interrogate their friends about his romantic life."
There was a spark of humor in Ginny's eyes.
"What is this all about anyway?" Neville took a sip of his tea.
"I just want to know more about Severus Snape, that's all."
"Yeah," he drawled.
"Severus Snape is so mysterious. I could use some insight on him for a future project."
His eyes widened. "You, you aren't planning on dating him, are you?"
Ginny burst out laughing. "I would rather give up playing Quidditch than date Severus Snape."
"Good," he exhaled. "You two would make a terrible match."
"We would," Ginny caught her breath. "Besides, I have my hands full with his godson."
"So, is this interrogation into his love life some kind of project you're doing for the Malfoys?"
"You could say that." She took a sip of tea.
"If this is, I would suggest staying out of whatever the Malfoys have going on," he replied. "Lucius is more than capable of finding out whatever facts he would like without our help."
"Trust me," Ginny frowned. "I know."
He opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Neville?"
"Coming." He rushed out of the kitchen. Thank Merlin for Hermione.
"Sorry I'm late." Hermione stepped inside. To no surprise of Neville, she had a book in her hand. "I had a run in with Severus Snape."
"Yes," He mused aloud. "I've been hearing that name a lot today."
"From who?"
"Hermione," Ginny called. "So glad you could come."
"Yes, sorry I was late." She strolled into the kitchen. "I got more involved in my conversation with Professor Snape than I'd intended."
"That's fine." Ginny put the cup of tea up to her nose. "Encounters with Severus Snape are rarely quick and painless."
"Especially when he thinks he owns half the library." Hermione slumped into a chair.
"You found his favorite spot, didn't you?" Neville smirked.
Ginny took a sip of her tea, her eyes alit with interest.
"No, I found my new favorite spot," Hermione argued as she put her book on her lap. "He refuses to share though."
"In his defense, it is in the potions section."
"So now he owns the potions section?"
"No, but I can understand his frustration," Neville said. "Even I get irritated when people take all the chairs in the herbology section, though I would never claim the section as mine."
"He has the larges quarters in Hogwarts. Why does he need a chair in the library?"
"I don't know. Maybe he likes the occasional change of scenery."
"I suppose I can't fault him for that," Hermione conceded. "But I can fault him for being a git."
"He can be a bit ornery..."
"That's putting it mildly," Hermione grumbled.
"But I promise, once you get to know him, you really will come to like him," Neville promised.
"I'll like him about as much as I like Rita Skeeter," Hermione replied. "Only I can't put him in a jar."
"Ms. Granger!"
"What in Merlin's name does that man want now?" She groaned.
"Open this door right now!"
"He must really be upset about that chair," Ginny noted.
"I don't know why he'd follow me except." She glanced down at her book. "Shit."
"What?" Neville asked.
"I grabbed his book by mistake."
"Ms. Granger, I demand you return my book to me at once!"
"I need to check on my plant soon anyway." Neville stood. "I can help smooth things over if you need help."
"No," Hermione smiled and strutted to the door. "I think I can handle him."
"Oh?" Ginny followed her at a distance.
"You really have to stop following me around," Hermione opened the door. "People will get the impression that you actually want to see me."
"I would love nothing more than to prevent such a misconception." He held out his hand. "My book, please."
"Do you own all the books in the library now?"
"No, but the book was last in my possession, so I would like it returned to me."
"Fine, but where's my book?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, I adore books, and I don't give them away for free especially if they are something as great as," She turned the book over and glanced at it. "The Great Italian Potioneers."
"Insufferable witch." He extended the book he'd picked up.
"What do you need this book for anyway?" She kept her eyes on the one in her hand.
"I would explain it to you, but I doubt you would take an interest."
"Try me," Hermione replied. "I'm quite a fan of Petruchio Montague"
"You wouldn't know the first thing about him."
"No, I supposed I would be completely oblivious about the uses of oleander as hate potion antidotes."
Professor Snape raised an eyebrow.
"I am completely clueless about how the ashes from Mount Etna have properties which could prevent male pattern boldness. Professor Montague made some revolutionary theories that I would know nothing about."
He glowered at her.
She glanced at him. "No, I have no idea who any Italian potioneer is."
"Insufferable know-it-all," Professor Snape growled.
"Excuse me, but I need to check on my plant," Neville replied. "It was great seeing you again, Severus."
"Likewise." Professor Snape stepped away from the doorway, allowing him to exit.
"Anyway, this book is clearly not for me." Hermione handed him his book and took hers. "Although I do thank you for the hand delivery. It isn't every day someone storms up to a tea party to accuse me of theft. I appreciate your kindness in saying it to my face instead of being a gossip and forcing me to defend myself before our colleagues."
"You are a thief," Professor Snape hissed. "And you owe me for those potions ingredients."
"How much?"
"I do not have the figure on me."
"When you do have the figure, tell Minerva to take it out of my paycheck. I'm sure she'll appreciate her employees keeping tabs on debts from over a decade ago."
"Can you not take on the big bad potions master without having Minerva fight your battle?"
"I can fight you just fine, but if I owe you money, you may as well take it our of my paycheck. If you feel so passionately about this, you can discuss it with Minerva."
He grumbled a few choice words under his breath.
"Thank you again for bringing up the book," she replied. "I do enjoy seeing your smiling face every day. When I see it twice, I feel twice as blessed."
"When I see you twice a day, I feel double cursed."
"That is unfortunate, but I suppose you are blessed in that you got exercise chasing me down in order to give me the book. It's always advisable to get some walking in, if only to keep up your figure."
"I am quite fit, thank you very much."
"I suppose you would be climbing the stairs every day from the dungeons to your favorite chair."
"Do not forget that it is my chair," he warned.
"I will be sure to check for your name tag when I am there next."
"I will mark it immediately after I leave."
"I look forward to seeing you explain to Madam Pince why you vandalized her chair. I'd imagine my debt will be mild by comparison."
Professor Snape scowled. "Good day, Ms. Granger."
"Good day, and please," she replied. "Stop by for tea sometime. We would love to have you."
He huffed before billowing away.
Hermione shut the door and sighed.
"You're perfect!"
"Excuse me?" Hermione turned to her friend.
"You heard me." Ginny clasped her hands together. "You are going to solve all my problems!"